Another year comes to an end and lots of metal albums have been released. This year has been great when it comes to album releases I would say, especially in my main area, black metal and sub-genres within.
I have discovered lots of bands this year and some of them are on my Top 10 list of albums released in 2020. Some bands on the Top 10 list even released their debut album this year, and you will also find some new bands with debut albums released this year in the extended version with recommended albums below the top list.
One thing that is different this year compared to the previous years when I have done the Top 10 album lists, is that there are no Norwegian black metal releases that dominate and/or top my list. But I am sure, Norway will deliver again next year (there will be a new Djevel album in 2021).
Just as my previous lists by the end of the year, black metal dominate the Top 10 list (and the extended list), and this year the bands may be spread more over the world, from North America to Europe with bands from Sweden, Denmark, Greece, Finland, Germany Iceland, Portugal, and Norway. Also, there may be a bit more atmospheric/melodic black metal bands on the list this year, at least the Top 10 part.
To help you find more information about the listed bands I have added some useful links. There is a bit more information about the upper part of the list. Also, this year I did a public Spotify playlist based on my list, check it out after the Top 10 list. I hope that you find it useful.
Below is my Top 10 albums 2020 list:
1. Uada – Djinn
Genre: Melodic Black Metal
Country of origin: USA
Label: Eisenwald
Facebook | Spotify
Uada – Djinn I expected that the new Uada album “Djinn” would be on my Top 10 list this year and they did for sure deliver their Melodic Black Metal, a bit different compared to the two previous albums, but fantastic! /Fredrik
2. Lifvsleda – Det Besegrade Lifvet
Genre: Black Metal
Country of origin: Sweden
Label: Shadow Records
Facebook | Spotify
Lifvsleda – Det Besegrade Lifvet Lifvsleda is one of the bands that I discovered this year and I am glad I did, their raw and primitive black metal, sung in Swedish is exactly what I needed this year. In case you missed Lifvsleda, do yourself the service and check them out! /Fredrik
3. Auðn – Vökudraumsins fangi
Genre: Atmospheric Black Metal
Country of origin: Iceland
Label: Season Of Mist
Facebook | Spotify
Auðn – Vökudraumsins fangi Icelandic atmospheric black metal band Auðn delivered this time again, just as they did with their two previous albums. The difference on this album compared to the two previous albums is that they added another guitarist to the band and they took another step up. /Fredrik
4. Vanaidr – Damnation
Genre: Melodic Black metal
Country of origin: Sweden
Label: Purity Through Fire
Facebook | Spotify
5. Faidra – Six Voices Inside
Genre: Atmospheric Black Metal
Country of origin: Sweden
Label: Northern Silence Productions
Facebook | Spotify
6. Mörk Gryning – Hinsides Vrede
Genre: Melodic Black metal
Country of origin: Sweden
Label: Season Of Mist
Facebook | Spotify
7. Necrophobic – Dawn of the Damned
Genre: Blackened Death Metal
Country of origin: Sweden
Label: Century Media
Facebook | Spotify
8. Grafvitnir – Death’s Wings Widespread
Genre: Black Metal
Country of origin: Sweden
Label: Carnal Records
Facebook | Spotify
9. Kvaen – The Funeral Pyre
Genre: Black/Pagan/Viking Metal
Country of origin: Sweden
Label: Black Lion Records
Facebook | Spotify
10. Afsky – Ofte jeg drømmer mig død
Genre: Black Metal
Country of origin: Denmark
Label: Vendetta Records
Facebook | Spotify
Spotify & Swedish Metal 2020
When I sum this year up I can also see that my public Spotify playlists have been growing, especially the list “Black Metal 2020”, if you missed the list, find the link at the bottom of this page and also in the main menu.
To the ones who already follow and listen to the list, and to you who may have missed it, there will be a “Black Metal 2021” list as well, the list is created with artwork, but of course no songs have been added yet.
Below you find a new Spotify playlist that I did based on what you see on this page, feel free to check it out!
Extended list
Also great and well worth to check out, in alphabetical order:
Sinira – The Everlorn
Genre: Melodic Black Metal
Country of origin: USA
Label: Northern Silence Productions
Spotify
Slagmark – Purging Sacred Soils
Genre: Black Metal
Country of origin: Germany
Label: Purity Through Fire
Facebook
Ymir – Ymir
Genre: Black Metal
Country of origin: Finland
Label: Werewolf Records
So, that’s it, now when another year is about to end, this year has been shit in many ways for most and I have had the worst year in my life on a personal basis on top of everything else.
But, if there is one thing that helps when everything is bad or worse, then it is good music, that is for sure a fact!
I must take the opportunity and thank all bands, members of bands, labels, and people who share the taste in music, who are fans of the bands that I try to support! I would not be here if it was not for you!
Let’s hope for a not as shitty 2021 as 2020 and that the plague will be
eradicated so we can attend gigs and festivals again!
/ Fredrik Kreem, founder/owner of Swedish Metal
SWEDISH METAL - Black Metal & Death Metal
This is the ultimate Spotify playlist only including Swedish black and death metal (+ a few heavy/thrash metal) tracks. Hit play and listen to bands like Bathory, Dismember, Dissection, Entombed, Watain, Hypocrisy, Marduk, Edge of Sanity, Valkyrja, Evocation and many more!
Black Metal 2020
Various black metal tunes released in 2020... There may be a few blackened death metal, dark metal and similar tracks in this list as well.. Enjoy the music and support the bands, buy the physical albums!
BLACK METAL - Highlights from the past & present
A Spotify playlist that will highlight black metal songs from the past and present. The list will change and not just be filled with new songs. Maybe you catch something that you have missed through this list? Spred, listen & buy physical albums!